The 202nd Tank Brigade, which cooperated with the infantry, finally appeared on the battlefield. Seeing the appearance of the tanks, the commander of the 109th Division breathed a sigh of relief, and then ordered his men to follow the tanks and head towards the bridge over the Berezina River.
Launch an attack.
Facing the influx of Soviet attacking troops, the German tank battalions seemed a little overwhelmed. If they were equipped with Panther tanks, they could still wait and see and gain a slight advantage when facing the oncoming Soviet tanks.
But the battalion was all equipped with Panzer IV tanks. Not to mention that the Soviet tanks on the opposite side were T-34/85. Even if they faced the early model T-34/76, they were still no match.
After tanks from both sides battled each other eight hundred meters apart, the Soviet tank brigade became the final winner. They destroyed 35 German tanks at the cost of losing seven.
The German tank battalion originally had 100 Panzer IV tanks, but within an hour of the battle, they lost 56 of them. The battalion commander, Major Schulz, felt that if the battle continued, his tank battalion would definitely end up being wiped out.
Decisively ordered the tanks to withdraw from the battle.
After the 109th Infantry Division occupied the bridge over the Berezina River, the division commander ordered one battalion of troops to be left to guard the bridge. The remaining main force, under the cover of tanks, headed towards Titovka north of Bobruisk.
Advance and prepare to attack the German 35th Army massed in that direction.
The 109th Division's unauthorized adjustment of the combat plan was quickly reported to Sokov.
Sidorin asked Sokov cautiously: "Comrade Commander, the 109th Division did not follow our original orders to launch an attack on Bobruisk, but turned to Titovka in the north of the city, and the 3rd Division
The army's troops surrounded and annihilated the German 35th Army. Do you think they should be ordered to stop advancing north, or should they be ordered to attack the city as planned?"
Although the commander of the 109th Division was good at making opinions, Sokov felt very uncomfortable. However, after carefully studying the map, he found that the mayor's idea was correct. He ordered the division to pretend to attack Bobruisk, just to attack Bobruisk.
Enemies in the city are drawn out and annihilated.
Now the German 35th Army blew up its own tanks and armored vehicles and broke out to the north as infantry in an attempt to escape Mogilev. However, after their intention was discovered, not only were they bombed by the Soviet army, but friendly forces also strengthened
The defensive force of Titovka was used to prevent the enemies of the unit from escaping north.
If at this time, a single force attacks from the enemy's flank and rear, it will definitely speed up the process of encircling and annihilating this German force.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov thought about this, stood up straight and looked at Sidorin and said: "I think the decision of the commander of the 109th Division was correct. The German 35th Army blew up their technical equipment.
, intending to flee to Mogilev as pure infantry. Now the friendly forces have strengthened their defenses on their way forward, making it more difficult for them to break through. If there is a force attacking from their side and rear at this time, there may be
Opportunity to encircle and annihilate the German 35th Army in a short period of time."
"But how should the division commander disobey orders?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, as a commander, the most important thing is to know how to adjust the offensive plan in a timely manner according to changes in the situation on the battlefield." Sokov said to Sidorin: "This division commander changed the direction of the attack in a timely manner.
The decision was very correct. However, when he adjusted his offensive deployment, he did not report to us in time, which was very wrong. You should criticize him properly when you make the call."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Sidorin nodded and said, "I will convey your intention to the division commander."
While Sidorin was on the phone, Ponedelin asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, since the 109th Division cannot continue to implement our plan to lure the enemy, should we send other troops to carry out this task?"
Sokov thought for a while, then shook his head and rejected Ponedelin's proposal: "I don't think it is necessary. The troops participating in the war have already been deployed. If other troops are deployed to perform this task, there will definitely be a fight.
It will disrupt our original deployment and thus affect our entire plan. Doing so will not be worth the gain."
"If we don't take any action, when the 109th Division launches an attack on the 35th Army in Titovka, it may cause a German attack from inside the city." Ponedelin reminded Sokov: "I'm afraid we will give them a
It caused considerable losses.”
"Comrade Deputy Commander, just listen to me and let other troops continue to stand still." Sokov said confidently: "If the Germans in the city really launch an attack from the rear of the 109th Division, we will launch a new feint attack.
Sooner or later, that will give the Germans the illusion that our attack on the 35th Army is a real feint attack."
Sokov's words were like a tongue twister. Ponedelin thought for a while before he finally figured it out. He nodded and said: "Comrade Commander, maybe you are right. If we really launch an attack on the city at this moment,
Attack, the Germans may only deploy part of their troops to meet us, and transfer other troops to the north of the city to support the 35th Army, which is being attacked from both sides."
"When we originally formulated this feint attack plan, it was to draw out the defenders in the city and eliminate them, so as to reduce our army's losses in the siege and street fighting." Sokov was worried that Ponejelin still didn't understand something, so he
Further explanation: "If there is no fighting in Titovka in the north of the city, our feint attack plan will work. But now the 35th Army in the north of the city is in danger, and the German troops in the city may be ready for rescue at any time. We are here
If we launch a feint attack on the city at this time, the enemy must be on the defensive. Even if our army retreats, they will not pursue it. After all, the north direction of the city is where they are concerned."
"Yes, Comrade Commander is right." Sidorin, who had just finished the phone call, heard what Sokov said and immediately agreed: "As soon as the battle in the north of the city started, our original plan to lure the enemy
It has lost its effect. Even if we want to launch another attack, I am afraid we can only wait until the battle in Titovka is over."
The battle in the Titovka area is going on fiercely.
The German 35th Army, which broke out to the north, received support from artillery fire in the city and mobilized a regiment to attack the position of the 444th Regiment of the 108th Division.
Looking at the German troops walking towards their positions, the Soviet commanders and fighters on the positions behaved extremely calmly, pointing their guns at the approaching enemies and quietly waiting for the order to fire.
When the enemy was still 700 meters away from the position, the artillery regiment of the 108th Division opened fire. The artillery shells that hit the team exploded violently, and each loud noise could take away many soldiers, just like a group of soldiers blown away by a storm.
A nest of ants. Faced with sudden artillery fire, the German officers and soldiers who reacted quickly relied on tactical instinct to lie down; those who reacted slowly were blown up and shattered by groups.
But the German officers and soldiers knew in their hearts that if they did not want to die here, they must break through the Soviet defenses and open a channel for the follow-up troops. The fierce German officers and soldiers continued to advance despite the intensive artillery fire. They were distinguishing among the continuous explosions.
With the sound of the shells passing by, you can judge the distance of the explosion point, look at the gap between the explosions of the shells, and move from one crater to another.
Hundreds of German officers and soldiers crawled and rolled under the artillery fire, and some died every second, but they managed to pass through the shelling area amidst the intensive artillery fire.
When the enemy was still 400 meters away from the position, the machine guns on the position opened fire. The muzzle flashes of the light and heavy machine guns were like dark red fire whips, constantly sweeping towards the approaching German officers and soldiers. The mortars in the trenches
The cannon was fired, and the bursting shrapnel and the spraying rain of bullets intertwined into an airtight fire net.
Major General Teremov, commander of the 108th Division, saw this scene in the headquarters. He couldn't help but sneered, put down the telescope in his hand, turned to the Chief of Staff next to him and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the Germans have gone to great lengths to open a passage.
To the point of everything, this is a kind of shock that makes people lose their senses. From these enemies, I don’t see any trace of the soldiers’ selfless and sacrificial spirit. The enemies are just in a state of semi-numbness. The march of this large group of soldiers is not as good as the soldiers’ selfless sacrifice.
It is better to say that it is an army that wants to subdue the enemy with its own will at all costs than it is that a group of livestock shows the stubbornness of animals."
The chief of staff nodded and said: "You are right, comrade division commander. But the scene in front of you is indeed thrilling."
"Comrade Division Commander," a staff officer reported to Teremov: "The commander of the 407th Regiment reported that thousands of German troops were found in front of their defensive positions. It seems that the Germans intend to launch an attack on their positions.
Impact."
After hearing the report, Teremov said confidently: "Call the artillery regiment and tell them that the enemy is preparing to attack the 407th regiment's position and ask them to prepare for artillery fire interception."
General Baharov, who was responsible for blocking the road, learned that the German army had begun to break through in the direction of Mogilev, and immediately sent a tank brigade to support. The tank troops were divided into two groups, one going to the 444th Regiment's defense area, and the other to the 407th Regiment's defense area.
Assist the infantry to block enemies fleeing north.
The road leading to Mogilev from the north has been blocked by the tank corps and infantry division. However, the commander of the 35th Army did not give up his plan to break out to the north and gave the troops strict orders to open the passage at all costs.
While the 35th Army was madly attacking to the north, the 109th Division, under the cover of the 202nd Tank Brigade, launched an attack from their rear.
Before Operation Bagration began, the Germans had no idea that the Soviet army would launch such a large-scale military offensive in Belarus. Outside cities like Bobruisk, except for the fortifications built by the Soviet army a few years ago, there was basically no
No new fortifications were built.
These fortifications, which were abandoned before they were built, could not perform their proper defensive functions when faced with the Soviet attack. Facing the German troops who were hiding in the trenches and firing, the tanks firing in front only needed to fire a few rounds.
Cannons can shoot them bloody. The German army, which has lost its heavy weapons, is helpless in the face of the Soviet tanks. The only way is to turn around and run back.
Seeing that the enemy began to retreat, the Soviet army accelerated its attack and followed the enemy towards the headquarters of the 35th Army.
Although the German troops in the city discovered that the Soviet army had launched an attack from the rear of the 35th Army, they did not dare to fire easily because they were worried that the artillery fire would accidentally injure their own people. They could only watch helplessly as the Soviet troops scattered their friendly troops.
flee.
What's even more terrible is that Batov's 65th Army suddenly launched an attack from the south and southwest of Bobruisk. Seeing that the situation was not good, the garrison commander in the city immediately ordered the artillery to turn their guns and move towards
The 65th Army carried out artillery fire interception in the direction of attack to prevent Soviet troops from approaching the city.
Rokossovsky learned about Batov's troops and launched an attack on Bobruisk. However, except for an infantry division and a tank brigade participating in the battle, the rest of Sokov's troops were still on standby.
, so he called Sokov and asked him why he stood still.
After listening to Rokossovsky's words, Sokov explained to him: "Comrade General, if our army also launches an attack on this matter, the Germans will definitely adjust their deployment according to the strength of the two armies, thereby increasing our
It is difficult to attack the city. But if I remain stationary, the enemy will not be able to figure out my strength and weakness, and they are worried that when they move their main troops to the south and southwest of the city, they will be suddenly attacked by us."
After hearing what Sokov said, Rokossovsky thought carefully for a while and felt that what he said made sense. As the defender, the German army can naturally feel which unit has the strongest combat effectiveness and poses the greatest threat to itself.
So as to adjust the defense. If Sokov's main force remains stationary, it will form a deterrent force to the German army. The troops originally defending the southeast will not dare to mobilize easily to avoid being caught off guard by Sokov.
.
After putting down the phone, Malinin came over and said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, if Sokov's troops can also join forces, it may speed up our process of liberating Bobruisk."
"I think Misha is right." Rokossovsky lit a cigarette and continued: "He is very famous within the German army. Most of the German commanders have heard of his name. As long as
If his main force does not move, the defenders in the city may not feel at ease and dare not randomly transfer troops from his direction to reinforce the direction in which Batov is attacking."
"Then do we need to provide some help to Batov's troops?"
Regarding Malinin's proposal, Rokossovsky thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "I don't think it is necessary. Bartov is also a senior commander, and he knows how to provide strong enough fire support for the attacking troops.
Our first task now is to annihilate the German 35th Division in the Titovka area in the north of the city. As long as they are eliminated, it will not only deal a heavy blow to the morale and morale of the German army, but also reduce the damage we suffered during the siege.
threats."
"Then I called General Rudenko and asked him to send out the air force again to carry out air strikes on the enemy and cooperate with the ground troops to eliminate the 35th Army." Ma Lining said: "After clearing the enemies outside the city, we can launch an attack on the city.
Already."
The 35th Army, which was attacked from both sides, was still struggling to hold on. But with the arrival of hundreds of Soviet fighter planes, the area where they were located was blown into a sea of fire. The officers and soldiers completely lost their organization, like headless soldiers.
The flies fled in all directions until they were killed or captured by the incoming Soviet commanders and fighters.
By evening, the main force of the German 35th Army was completely wiped out, except for hundreds of people who escaped from Mogilev via a small road. Commander von Ludtsov also became a prisoner of the 109th Division.
This chapter has been completed!